AMERICAN HORSES IN PRANCE. 41 



Light cavalry horses — height, 5 feet to 5 feet 1 inch; weight, 775 to 

 880 pounds; cost, 900 to 1,100 francs. These horses come mostly from 

 the south of France (Tarbes), but to some extent from Brittany and 

 some other districts. 



Horses for dragoon regiments are in height 5 feet 1 inch to 5 feet 2 

 inches; weight, 880 to 1,000 pounds, and cost on an average 1,200 to 

 1,300 francs. They are mostly French horses. 



Cuirassiers and gendarmes horses are in height 5 feet 3 inches to 

 5 feet 4 inches, and weigh 1,050 to 1,150 pounds. They cost, on an 

 average, 1,200 to 1,300 francs, and are mostly French horses. 



Artillery and baggage-train horses are in height 5 feet to 5 feet 2 

 inches, weigh 990 to 1,100 pounds, and cost on an average 1,200 to 

 1,300 francs. 



All army horses are 2£ to 3 years old — generally 3 years old when 

 purchased. They are immediately sent to the supply stations, where 

 they stay at least six months, when they are sent to the regiment to 

 be trained by officers and soldiers specially detailed for the purpose. 

 The training takes about six months, so that the horse is 4 years 

 old when he is turned over to the trooper for regular service. When 

 the army needs horses the Government advertises in the official paper 

 for what is required, giving all details as to qualities, age, height, 

 and weight, and the places at which horses may be presented by their 

 owners for inspection and for bids. The commission which purchases 

 horses is composed of a certain number of officers and a veterinary 

 surgeon. When a horse is presented to the commission the officers 

 agree among themselves what price they will give, subject to the vet- 

 erinary's report, and the bid is made to the owner, who can accept or 

 refuse it. Anyone may present horses to the said commission; it is 

 open to all. 



Some years ago the Government bought Arab horses for the light 

 cavalry, but it appears that these horses (which are not unlike our 

 Texas ponies) have not stood the climate well, and, besides, do not do 

 well when shod. In Algeria they are not shod. The Government also 

 tried light horses from South America, but the soldiers could do noth- 

 ing with them. The horses now used for the light cavalry come from 

 the south of France, being a crossbreed of Spanish- Arabian horses 

 with mares of the country; some also come from Brittany. 



AMERICAN HORSES. 



I have taken great pains to find out why more American horses are 

 not imported, as they would undoubtedly suit for carriages and cabs 

 and farm work and, if care is taken, for army purposes. I have inter- 

 viewed horse dealers, stable keepers, and veterinary surgeons and 

 have come to the conclusion that the American horse has not had a 

 fair trial in the Paris market. 



There exists a prejudice against American horses because those that 

 have been imported were not suitable for the requirements of the 



